The Electoral Commission (EC) has postponed elections for non-unionized workers’ delegates at Sub-county, Town Council, and Division levels from July 11 to August 5, 2025.
The decision follows a formal request from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), which is jointly organizing the polls with the EC.
The change was communicated in an internal memo issued by the EC’s Acting Secretary and addressed to departmental and unit heads.
The memo cited administrative adjustments and coordination challenges raised by the Gender Ministry as the main reasons for the postponement.
According to Section 15 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap 177), non-unionized workers are entitled to elect their representatives through a structured electoral process beginning at the lower local government levels.
These elected delegates then participate in District Workers’ Conferences, which contribute to the selection of national representatives for workers in Parliament.
Unlike unionized workers—represented by registered trade unions and federations—non-unionized workers include casual laborers, freelancers, informal traders, and others not affiliated with any labor union.
With Uganda’s informal sector continuing to grow, integrating these workers into the political process is increasingly viewed as a democratic necessity.
“The Ministry requested an adjustment to ensure broader participation and a more organized delegate selection process,” reads part of the internal communication.
“There are logistical hurdles in convening non-unionized workers across hundreds of sub-counties, and this short postponement will help improve turnout and credibility.”
Sources within both the EC and MGLSD noted that the extension is necessary to finalize the registration and verification of eligible participants—a complex task due to the unstructured nature of informal employment.
Regional Election Officers and Returning Officers have been instructed to notify local stakeholders of the new election date and revise operational plans accordingly.
The EC emphasized that the integrity of the process and its legal framework remains intact despite the timeline adjustment.
Uganda’s Constitution mandates the representation of special interest groups in Parliament, including workers, youth, women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the army.
Workers hold five designated parliamentary seats, filled through an electoral college comprising both unionized and non-unionized groups.
For many non-unionized workers, this election represents a rare opportunity to engage with national governance and influence labor policy.
However, past elections have been marred by limited awareness, low turnout, and weak mobilization.
Civil society organizations have previously urged for increased transparency and voter education to help non-unionized workers understand their electoral roles and rights.
With the new date set for August 5, both the EC and MGLSD are expected to intensify preparations over the next three weeks.
Planned activities include updating participant registers, training election officers, and mobilizing eligible voters countrywide. Formal guidelines and polling details are expected in the coming days.
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